The two contenders for the Tory leadership today refused to say who they thought would triumph in the contest, despite an earlier declaration by Kenneth Clarke that he believed he had won.
Mr Clarke and his rival Iain Duncan Smith shared a platform for the last time in the campaign ahead of the result on Wednesday by courting the party's younger members.
The former Chancellor said he "really doesn't know" who was ahead while Mr Duncan Smith, the firm favourite, said: "I'm confident but I don't make predictions."
But speaking at hustings in Harrogate last night, Mr Clarke told BBC News: "I think I've won, and I think I've had the opportunity to put my case to the membership at large about how we get back into mainstream politics."
Playing down the statement, Mr Clarke said today: "What I said was that my feeling from the meeting was that I had won.
"I really don't know who has won as it is very difficult to canvass the 150,000 people who have returned ballot papers so far."
As he arrived at the Conservative Future annual conference at Manchester's Umist university, Mr Clarke was greeted by a band of supporters wearing T-shirts bearing the slogan "Ken for No. 10".
Asked if he thought Mr Clarke was arrogant for allegedly predicting victory, the shadow defence secretary replied: "You may think that but I couldn't possibly comment."
Mr Duncan Smith said winning the votes in both leadership and general elections depended on a clear commitment to improving public services.
He said: "The issues people care about are the ones that affect them the most. That is health, transport, education and public services.
"Those are the issues I have campaigned on and if I'm fortunate enough to become leader, shall continue to concentrate on."
PA